John Buckey, Nantucket High School principal was named he 2013 Principal of the Year in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts Secondary School Administrators Association, National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife sponsor the honor.

Buckey represents Massachusetts in the national competition for the national Principal of the Year.

His arrival at Nantucket High School coincided with one of the most difficult periods in the history of the school. From 2007 through 2009, there was a contagion of adolescent suicides, three by students and several others by graduates. In addition to these tragedies, there were other areas of educational and administrative concern.

In supporting Buckey’s candidacy for the award, Superintendent W. Michael Cozort states, “His peers respect his knowledge of the district and appreciate his advice when making tough decisions. They, and I, know that he will advocate for his school, but understands that the needs of the district sometimes supersede those of one school. John’s integrity, work ethic and desire to excel are qualities that are evident in everything he does.”

“It’s a recognition for Nantucket Public Schools, and it might shine a light on Nantucket High School, which I would argue deserves it richly,” Buckey told The Inquirer and Mirror.“It’s also about Nantucket and the support it provides as an island community to education. We have the right people on the bus in the right seats. This is an amazing administrative team and I think that was one of the expressed challenges when I arrived here, that there was a great deal of administrative turnover, and I credit the superintendent for establishing an administrative team together and nurturing our development as well.”

Buckey is married to Nantucket Police Sargent Kevin Marshall.